The difference is no one cared about Abercrombie's opinion, because no one has actually shopped there since that cheesy "Abercrombie and Fitch" pop song that I am happy to admit I had to Google because I don't remember it. "Summer Girls" by LFO, 1999. Whatever. Go ahead. Tell everyone how cool you are. Little dog syndrome.

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson, flanked by wife Shannon, started a firestorm when he said in a recent interview that "some women s bodies just actually don t work for (his company s yoga pants)." ("Street Smart"/Bloomberg Television)

My condolences to the Boulder Lululemon store, which I would personally never sign a petition against, but Lulu was at the height of its popularity when its founder started burning down yoga bridges. And there is something detached about a fitness-apparel company refusing to offer clothing sizes that fit the average or even below-average American body. As if being fit and healthful is an elitist lifestyle, and not something that everybody deserves or can obtain.

Not to mention, it's not smart business to exclude the very population that would benefit the most from that expensive yoga-pant fabric that makes your bum look like a halved cantaloupe (this knowledge will come in handy near the end of this column) -- a population that would appreciate the extra motivation of looking great in sweatpants to encourage a more active lifestyle.

You don't need me to repeat Lulu's bad press.

But here's something new that I can offer to this party: real life test wears of seven different popular brands of yoga pants -- and my final determination of which product truly is the best bang for your buck. I mean, politics aside, if I'm going to blow $100 on a piece of fabric to swamp all over, I want to know it's going to have a good cost-to-use ratio and not bust at the seams.

The following pants were tested over a two-year period by me and my dance-instructor friend, Renu Gupta. Each pair of pants was worn at most once a week and washed after each wearing, so each 2-year-old garment has about 100 washes. (Note: Some mobile apps do not show the interactive Great Yoga Pants Test atop this story. If you encounter this issue, click here for the interactive version.)

1. Brand: Alo Purchase price (approximate): $72 at Nordstrom

Sheerness at purchase time: None

"Cantaloupe" factor: Average. No lift, but no squish. Must have natural assets

Age (approximate): 18 months

Pilling (1-10, where 10 is unacceptable to wear during Happy Baby pose): 10

Discoloration (1-10): 3

Sheerness at current age: None

Verdict: Although I appreciate Alo's eco-friendly fabrics and practices, the crotchal pilling is not public-appropriate. One of the worst offenders.

2. Brand: C9 by Champion

Purchase price: $35 at Target

Sheerness at purchase time None

"Cantaloupe" factor: Supportive and sleek. Nice on the thighs

Age: 18 months

Pilling: 10

Discoloration: 2

Sheerness at current age: None

Verdict: The best quality for the best price. However, there are no free alterations or exchanges after wear and wash if they don't work.

3. Brand: Lululemon

Purchase price: $98 at the Lululemon store on the Twenty Ninth Street Mall

Verdict: Although you can get free alterations, the wear of this line - even with its special washing instructions (hang-dried, washed separately) - simply does not justify its highest price point. Still, these are my husband's favorite.

4. Brand: Athleta

Purchase price: $64 at Athleta store on Pearl Street Mall

Sheerness at purchase time: None

"Cantaloupe" factor: Ripe. Whereas Lulu is the Mercedes eye-candy of yoga pants, Athleta is the Honda. It's not for showing off; it's for actual function.

Age: Pilling: 0

Discoloration: 4

Sheerness at current age: None

Verdict: The best higher-end yoga wear option. Although these are about twice the price of Champions, you can exchange them after wearing and washing them, even if you just don't like how they feel, and alterations are free. Also: dryer safe. These are low-maintenance pants that can last for years.

5. Brand: Old Navy

Purchase price: $15

Sheerness at purchase time: Minor in the right light

"Cantaloupe" factor: Neutral

Age: 2 years

Pilling: 7

Discoloration: 8

Sheerness at current age: Significant; need to retire this pair

Verdict: You get what you pay for. You will need to replace these regularly.

6. Brand: Exhilaration by Target

Purchase price: $9

Sheerness at purchase time: None

"Cantaloupe" factor: Rotten. Not exhilarating

Age: 2 years

Pilling: 8

Discoloration: 5

Sheerness at current age: None

Verdict: These were the cheapest, which showed in the pilling, although they're not sheer. An OK alternative if you're on a budget, but you'd be better off saving for a pair of Champions that you can wear for years.

7. Brand: Prana from the Prana store on the Pearl Street Mall

Purchase price: $75

Sheerness at purchase time: None

"Cantaloupe" factor: Neutral

Age: 2 years (although I've stopped wearing them)

Pilling: 10

Discoloration: 7

Sheerness at current age: None

Verdict: Although I dig Prana's free yoga classes, I don't know what happened here; these are going in the trash can immediately. For $75, these are straight busted.

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